Frieze of lions

In this work, Santiago Costa enters the animal world, a subject matter and format which he links to Oriental animalist tradition, specifically Assyrian friezes. This subject matter allows the artist to seek the creation of movement in the sculpture, where we can also appreciate his interest in the representation of sporting activity. Santiago Costa i Vaqué 1895-1984) A cousin of the sculptor Julio Antonio, he studied at the Llotja School of Barcelona and later worked for his cousin, from whom he received the classical influence and realist treatment, during his early period. Between 1919 and 1925 he produced a series of works in South America before returning to Madrid. His work is based on a block concept with significant integration within the cubic space. Its dominant characteristic is force and detained movement. He also produced paintings, with landscapes and popular scenes as themes.